Contactless payments.

In a rush or just have no change? Paying for everyday things couldn’t be easier with contactless payments.

All eligible current accounts come with contactless as standard and for existing customers, you’ll get a contactless debit card on your next renewal. If you don’t want to wait, give us a call on 0345 720 3040 or visit a Halifax branch and we’ll arrange for one to be sent out.

Most contactless payments will appear in the main section of your online statement within a few days. However, some transactions may show first in the ‘View pending transactions’ section.

Please note: Not all Contactless Card transactions appear immediately on your Online & Mobile Banking statements. If you can’t see a transaction please wait a few days for it to be added to your statement.

Contactless payments are 100% protected against fraud, offering the same level of protection as Chip & PIN payments.

For extra security when receiving your card you will need to perform a Chip & PIN transaction before you can use the contactless feature.

Although a contactless payment doesn’t usually require a PIN to be entered, contactless usage is monitored on your card and for your protection you may occasionally be asked to enter your PIN when making a contactless payment.

1. What is contactless technology?

Contactless technology is a fast and easy way to pay for goods and services of £30 and under without entering a PIN. Within the UK the limit is £30. Other contactless limits apply outside of the UK, please ask the retailer. Remember you can still use your card for purchases using Chip and PIN. Contactless cards have an antenna in the plastic so that when it is used at a contactless reader it securely transmits purchase information to and from the contactless reader. All you have to do is touch your contactless card onto the contactless reader to make the payment.

2. How do I know if my card comes with contactless technology?

If you see the following wave symbol on your card then you can start paying with contactless.

4. What bank accounts offer contactless cards?

Contactless is available on Current Account, Student Current Account, Reward Current Account, Ultimate Reward Current Account, Express Cash and Cash Card.

5. How do I know if a retailer accepts contactless payments?

Any retailer who displays the contactless symbol can accept contactless payments: This may also be displayed on the terminal.

6. Is there a limit on how much I can spend?

You can make payments up to £30 using contactless worldwide. Within the UK the limit is £30. Other contactless limits apply outside of the UK, please ask the retailer. Remember you can still use your card for purchases using Chip and PIN.

7. Where do contactless payments appear on my statement?

Most contactless payments will appear in the main section of your online statement within a few days. However, some transactions may show first in the ‘View pending transactions’ section.

8. Is it safe?

Contactless uses the latest secure Visa technology. If your card is lost or stolen, you’re protected against fraud loss – providing you take the kind of precautions we recommend and let us know as soon as you realise it’s gone. To minimise the risk of fraud we recommend that you never tell anyone your PIN, always look out for the padlock symbol when shopping online and always shred receipts and documents with personal information before disposing of them.

9. Can I be charged more than once for the same transaction if I pay using a contactless card?

No. Once you touch your card on the card reader to pay the transaction is complete and will appear on your statement. The terminal will only read one card at a time for each transaction.

Occasionally a payment may be unsuccessful and you will be asked to try your contactless card again, but you only pay for a transaction once.

10. What happens if I have more than one contactless card and / or an Oyster card in my wallet / purse when I touch the card reader?

We don’t recommend touching your wallet against the reader if you have more than one item in it that communicates using contactless technology.

The card reader is designed to reject a payment where it can see that there is more than one contactless card present, a red light will be shown on the reader to tell you the payment has not complete and the terminal will say ‘please present one card only’.

To prevent this happening, make sure that you only use the card that you wish to pay with and touch this against the card reader.

11. Do I have to use contactless?

No. Contactless technology is an additional feature on your card, it’s up to you whether you chose to pay with contactless or Chip and PIN.

12. Can I use my contactless card overseas?

Although you can use your Halifax Visa debit card abroad, only Contactless cards issued after 17th November 2017, including replacement cards, can be used worldwide wherever you see the contactless symbol.

How do contactless payments for travel work?

Where a public transport operator displays this symbol, on the payment card reader you can use your contactless card to pay for travel.

To pay with contactless, simply touch your contactless card to the card reader - as soon as you hear the beep, and / or see a light, you have paid for your travel. There is no need to find cash or top up your travel card first.

Remember to check the fare and payment process with the transport operator before you start your journey.

Do I have a daily limit when I use my contactless card to pay for travel?

No - you just need to have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the fare in your account.

I touched my contactless payment card on the card reader and there was a warning light, what does this mean?

This means that you can’t use that contactless card to pay for your travel and you’ll have to use another payment method. You can ask your travel operator what the best way to pay for your travel is.

1. How much will it cost to travel on the TfL network with a contactless payment card?

You’ll be charged the same amount as a pay as you go adult fare when travelling with an Oyster card. You’ll also benefit from daily and weekly (Monday-to-Sunday) capping. Take a look at the TfL website for fare details.

2. How can I keep track of my journeys?

We recommend that you setup an online account with TfL. This will allow you to view your journey history, request refunds and make payments for any unpaid journeys.

3. Can I add a season ticket, Travelcard or Bus & Tram pass to my contactless payment card?

No, that’s not currently possible. Only adult pay as you go fares are being offered by TfL. However, you can still benefit from daily and weekly (Monday to Sunday) capping, as you would by using an Oyster pay as you go card.

4. Is it possible to pay for more than one fare using a contactless payment card, for example paying for children/s TfL travel when I am travelling?

No, just like Oyster, a contactless payment card can only pay for one person per journey, so an alternative method of payment for each person will be required.

5. What should I do if I have a query about a journey fare or daily cap?

6. What should I do if I think I’ve been charged the wrong amount for a journey?

You can check your journey and payment history by signing up for an online TfL account. If the daily amount includes a maximum fare for an incomplete journey, you may be able to complete the journey online and get a refund. Further queries can be raised on the website or by calling TfL customer services on 0343 222 1234.

7. When using a contactless payment card on the TfL network, what happens if I touch in with one card and touch out with a different card?

This will result in you being charged the maximum fares for 2 incomplete journeys.An incomplete journey is when someone taps in at the beginning of their journey but not out at the end, or vice-versa.If this happens, you should check your journey and payment history on your TfL online account. You may be able to complete the journey online and get a refund.